Association Between Tetralogy of Fallot and Tracheobronchial Branching Abnormalities: A New Clue for Pathogenesis?

Tracheobronchial abnormalities on computed tomography angiography in children with congenital heart disease

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the assortment of tracheobronchial abnormalities on computed tomography angiography (CTA) in children with congenital heart disease (CHD).

METHODS

In this study approved by the Institute ethics committee, CTA studies of 182 children (age range: 2 days-8 years) with CHD, performed from July 2021 to March 2023 were analyzed. Two pediatric radiologists independently assessed the tracheobronchial airways (from the trachea to lobar bronchi) for developmental and branching anomalies and airway compromise (narrowing). In cases which demonstrated airway compromise, the extent and the cause of airway narrowing were evaluated, and the etiology were divided into extrinsic and intrinsic causes. Interobserver agreement between the two radiologists was calculated using kappa statistics.

RESULTS

One hundred children demonstrated normal airway anatomy and no luminal narrowing. Airway narrowing was observed in 63 (34.6%) children (κ: 0.954), and developmental airway anomalies were seen in 32 (17.5%) children (κ: 0.935). Of the 63 children with airway narrowing, 47 (25.8%) children had extrinsic cause for narrowing, 11 (6%) children had intrinsic causes for narrowing, and 5 (2.7%) children had both intrinsic and extrinsic causes attributing to airway compromise. Significant airway narrowing (>50% reduction) was seen in 35 (19.2%) children (κ: 0.945).

CONCLUSION

Tracheobronchial airway abnormalities are frequently associated in children with CHD and need to be appraised preoperatively. Cross-sectional imaging with CTA provides excellent information on tracheobronchial airway anatomy and caliber as well as delineates the possible etiology of airway narrowing, thus accurately diagnosing airway anomalies.

Morphologic classification of tracheobronchial arborization in children with congenital tracheobronchial stenosis and the associated cardiovascular defects

Background

We sought to classify patients with congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) according to tracheobronchial morphology and determine anatomic features associated with tracheobronchial anomalies (TBAs) and concurrent cardiovascular defects (CVDs).

Methods

We enrolled 254 patients who underwent tracheoplasty between November 1, 2009 and December 30, 2018. The anatomic features of the tracheobronchial tree and cardiovascular system were abstracted from bronchoscopy, echocardiography, computerized tomography, and operative reports.

Results

Four types of tracheobronchial morphology were identified: Type-1, which included normal tracheobronchial arborization (Type-1A, n = 29) and tracheal bronchus (Type-1B, n = 22); Type-2 (tracheal trifurcation; n = 49), and Type-3 (typical bridging bronchus; n = 47). Type-4 (bronchus with an untypical bridging pattern) was divided into Type-4A (involving bronchial diverticulum; n = 52) and Type-4B (absent bronchus; n = 55). Carinal compression and tracheomalacia were significantly more frequent in Type-4 patients than in the other patients (P < 0.01). CVDs were common in patients with CTS, especially in patients with Type-3 and Type-4 (P < 0.01). Persistent left superior vena cava was most common among patients with Type-3 (P < 0.01), and pulmonary artery sling was most frequent among those with Type-4 (P < 0.01). Outflow tract defects were most likely to occur in Type-1B. Early mortality was detected in 12.2% of all patients, and young age (P = 0.02), operation in the early era (P < 0.01), and bronchial stenosis (P = 0.03) were proven to be risk factors.

Conclusions

We demonstrated a useful morphological classification for CTS. Bridging bronchus was most closely linked with vascular anomalies, while tracheal bronchus was frequently associated with outflow tract defects. These results may provide a clue to CTS pathogenesis.

Evaluation and Management of Noncardiac Comorbidities in Children With Congenital Heart Disease

Outcomes for patients with neonatal heart disease are affected by numerous noncardiac and genetic factors. These can include neonatal concerns, such as prematurity and low birth weight, and congenital anomalies, such as airway, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary anomalies, and genetic syndromes. This section will serve as a summary of these issues and how they may affect the evaluation and management of a neonate with heart disease. These noncardiac factors are heavily influenced by conditions common to neonatologists, making a strong argument for multidisciplinary care with neonatologists, cardiologists, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and cardiovascular intensivists. Through this section and this project, we aim to facilitate a comprehensive approach to the care of neonates with congenital heart disease.

Tracheal trifurcation: new cases and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Tracheal trifurcation is an uncommon and often unknown type of anomalous tracheobronchial arborization, characterized by three main bronchi originating at the level of the carina. Diagnosis is important due to its clinical implications.

OBJECTIVE

To highlight the anatomical, clinical and diagnostic aspects of tracheal trifurcation by reporting our experience and reviewing the literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated pediatric patients referred to our institution from January 2018 to May 2020 with a diagnosis of tracheal trifurcation. All patients underwent chest radiographs, computed tomography (CT) (with/without dynamic airway scanning) and bronchoscopy. Clinical and anatomical data were collected.

RESULTS

Three patients with tracheal trifurcation were identified (1 female, median age: 7.6±0.4 months). All had associated anomalies: two had tetralogy of Fallot, one with esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula and one with an atrioventricular septal defect, and the other had skeletal ciliopathy. Chest radiographs were not diagnostic for tracheal trifurcation. Bronchoscopy could not fully evaluate the trachea and main bronchi in two cases. CT detected tracheal trifurcation in all of the patients and also demonstrated other lung parenchymal and congenital anomalies. Two of the three main bronchi were directed to the right lung in all cases. Ostial stenosis of either the central (two patients) or right upper bronchus (one patient) was present. No signs of tracheobronchomalacia were found.

CONCLUSION

Tracheal trifurcation is rare and often associated with additional disorders, such as other tracheobronchial anomalies, cardiovascular defects or esophageal malformations, responsible for clinical manifestations and earlier detection. Bronchoscopy is often used for diagnosis, but is invasive and may be incomplete or inconclusive, while CT allows for a noninvasive and correct diagnosis, while also highlighting additional findings in the thorax.

Airway Abnormalities in Patients With Congenital Heart Disease: Incidence and Associated Factors

OBJECTIVES

Airway abnormalities complicate the perioperative course of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The literature describing airway abnormalities in those patients is scarce. This study aimed to determine the incidence of airway abnormalities in CHD patients and identify associated factors, genetic syndromes, and cardiac diagnoses.

DESIGN

Retrospective study conducted after institutional review board approval.

SETTING

Tertiary children's hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients presenting for cardiac diagnostic, interventional, or surgical procedures from 2012 to 2018. A total of 9,495 encounters were reviewed.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

age >18 years. Methods/Interventions: Age, weight, sex, intubation technique, number of intubation attempts, and difficult intubation (DI) were recorded. Using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revisions codes, genetic syndromes, acquired and congenital airway abnormalities, and cardiac diagnoses were identified. Multivariate generalized estimating equations modeling was used to identify independent predictors of airway abnormalities.

RESULTS

A total of 4,797 patients, with 8,657 encounters were included. The median age was 1.3 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 0.2-6.0) and weight was 9.2 kg (IQR: 4.3-19.2), and 55% were male. A total of 16.7% had at least 1 genetic syndrome; 8.5% had congenital airway abnormalities and 9.7% acquired. Incidence of DI was 1.1%. The most common syndromes were Down, 22q11.2 microdeletion, and CHARGE. The most frequent congenital airway abnormalities were laryngomalacia and bronchomalacia, and the most frequent acquired were partial and total vocal cord paralysis.

CONCLUSION

The likelihood of a coexistent airway abnormality should be considered in premature CHD patients, weight <10 kg, and in those with specific cardiac lesions and a concomitant genetic syndrome. Preoperative identification of patients at high risk of airway abnormalities is useful in planning their perioperative airway management.